What Stillpoint "Nose"

This is our cardamom essential oil.. We have two Cardamoms here at Stillpoint. An essential oil and a Cardamom Co2 select extract.

The main difference between Cardamom essential oil and the CO2 extract is the process of extraction. The essential oil is steam or hydro distilled, while the CO2 extract is extracted by using carbon dioxide gas and a low pressure. They also vary a bit chemically, not too much though. The aroma of the Cardamom steam distilled essential oil is a bit lighter in its a aroma.

Tip: If something is referred to as an essential oil, this tells you that it has been steam or hydro distilled. If it is referred to as a CO2 total or select or supercritical, this this tells you that it has been extracted by Carbon Dioxide gas. The analogy we like to use is that the steam distilled cardamom is like a light beer and the co2 extract is a deep stout.

We have found that both the essential oil and Co2 extract are highly anti spasmodic and great for the digestive system, and respiratory system. This is in part due to the high percentage of of esters. It is also quite warming and acts as a rubefacient. This means it’s wonderful in blends to increase circulation and bring heat to an area. It is also a mental stimulant and can be used to clear the mind and increase focus. It is a great extract for anything digestive and stomatchic. It has also been know to use it as a pulmonary stimulant. Helps warm up the system when suffering from a cold or fl. Great to help relieve nausea

Cardamom is referred to as the Queen of Spices. and we love to use this extract in cooking. Here are some ways to use it:

• In baked goods such as breads, cookies or a muffin recipe.

• Make a killer cup of chai tea

• Add flavor to rice

• To make honey Cardamom flavored

• To flavor soups

• Add a warmth to coffee

Botany

Elettaria cardamomum is a pungent aromatic herbaceous perennial plant, growing to about 2–4 m (6 ft 7 in–13 ft 1 in) in height. The leaves are alternate in two ranks, linear-lanceolate, 40–60 cm (16–24 in) long, with a long pointed tip. The flowers are white to lilac or pale violet, produced in a loose spike 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long. The fruit is a three-sided yellow-green pod 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) long, containing several black and brown seeds. (Wikipedia)

Small Cardamom or True Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a member of the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It grows wild in the monsoon forests of South India and Sri Lanka. It is cultivated extensively in these countries, as well as in Guatemala and elsewhere.

Energetics and Chakras

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities of Cardamom

Energetically and emotionally, Cardamom essential oil just like the Co2 is stabilizing for the emotional and mental bodies. Because it is extracted from a seed, it offers a level of nurturing and protection when used in blends. It has also been known to be a wonderful aphrodisiac. Cardamom adds sweetness and hope to depressive situation. There is a completeness and gentleness that is within this extract. Because this extract offers you the “whole seed,” if you want to add this kind of “wholeness” to any blend, try using Cardamom CO2 extract. It helps people that are burdened with worries and and events that test our ability to endure. According to Madeleine Hayes, cardamom can help people that are "cold to the core"

Traditional Folklore

Cardamom is known to be the Queen of Spices, one of the oldest spices used for thousands and thousands of years. It is thought to be brought to Europe by the Greeks in the 4th century BC. It is believed that the name cardamom comes from the Arab word hehmama - a Sanskrit term meaning hot and pungent.

Therapeutic Benefits of Cardamom

Aroma-Chemistry of Cardamom

Chemically this Cardamom extract has a good amount of 1,8 cineole and and also terpynal acetate. The cineole is an oxide, which makes this extract great for the respiratory system and also great for the clarity of the mind. The acetate is an ester and that makes the extract a great anti spasmodic for the digestive, respiratory and muscular system.